South Tynedale Railway - Alston, Cumbria.

Diesel Locomotives and Carriages

Naworth (no. 4)

This 0-6-0 Hudswell-Clarke diesel loco is used mainly for hauling passenger trains. Powered by a 6-cylinder 6LW Gardner engine developing 100hp, this ex-British Coal Board loco easily handles the conditions of the Alston line. Much modified from the original Coal Board design, Naworth is seen in the next picture waiting in the station tailshunt .

no. 9

Not having a name, this ex-British Coal Board Hunslet loco is affectionately known as "Octopussy". This is due to the manual transmission- no synchromesh and two clutches- "so that it seems that you need eight arms to drive it!" Powered by a 4-cylinder 4LW Gardner engine developing 70hp, this loco is used mainly on works trains, although it is equipped with the air system required for use hauling the passenger train. This loco still has the flameproof electrical system installed. The next picture shows no. 9 in Alston station.

Cumbria (no. 11)

Having a top speed of 8mph, this Hunslet diesel loco is the yard shunter. As with no. 9, this loco is powered by a 4-cylinder 4LW Gardner engine developing 60hp. Very simple to drive, this loco is regularly seen at special events where the public may have a go at driving it under supervision.

Passenger Train

Built by the railway, there are up to five coaches available to form the passenger train, along with the Brake-van. Coach no. 2 is wooden bodied, of the first design built by the railway. Subsequently converted to carry up to 2 wheelchairs, this coach features traditional "toast-rack" seats for up to 28 people and open windows. Coach no. 3 is currently being renovated, and is also wooden-bodied, to the second design built, seating up to 32 people. Coaches 5, 6 and 7 are of the most recent design, and have steel bodied construction with end balconies, each seating up to 40 people. The brake-van used on passenger trains (no. 22) is the second van to be constructed by the railway, being somewhat larger than the original van. It houses the train hand-brake, emergency control for the automatic train-brake, equipment for the Guard and space for luggage, pushchairs and bicycles. This van has also recently been modified to carry approved catering equipment in order to provide a much needed passenger refreshment facility (at present refreshments can only be sold at Kirkhaugh due to the lack of interconnecting walkways between the coaches).

The passenger rolling stock is all fitted with ¾ size Willison ("buckeye") couplings and is continuously braked with a single-pipe type automatic air brake. The next picture shows the passenger train at Alston. The rear of the train, with tail-lamp may be seen clearly; the brake van is marshalled at the front section of the train.

I hope you have enjoyed this trip around the South Tynedale Railway. If you want to come and visit us, or perhaps even to come and help us, long-standing member Daniel McIntyre has a fine Web site with more information and the current timetable. Click HERE to go there.

Contact Information

South Tynedale Railway

Alston,

Cumbria CA9 3JB

Tel: 01434 381696 or 01434 382828(talking timetable)

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